Very closely matched by the film of the same name. Rachel is an economics professor in New York, of Chinese heritage but with no wealthy background. NiVery closely matched by the film of the same name. Rachel is an economics professor in New York, of Chinese heritage but with no wealthy background. Nick is a professor in New York, of Chinese-Singapore heritage and an enormously wealthy background - of which Rachel is completely unaware. When Nick invites Rachel to Singapore for his friend’s wedding, she is introduced into the circle of Crazy Rich Asians. This is a funny, romantic, crazy story which contains some great tales of all sorts of family members and parts of Chinese and Asian society. A fun read. ...more
I read this book as part of the American Library Association Banned Books course. Some key points first, no I do not believe this book should be bannedI read this book as part of the American Library Association Banned Books course. Some key points first, no I do not believe this book should be banned anywhere, no I’m not going to give it 5 stars on my own page just because it’s a banned book, yes I’m aware the author has been accused of multiple sexual assaults - and yes that probably distorted my image of him a bit!
This is an important book. It tells the story (semi-autobiographical) of a boy growing up on a Native American reserve surrounded by all the love, culture and traditions, and dangers and challenges as he steps outside of the traditional and attends a white (non-reserve) school and moves through his tween and teenage years.
It is hard. It is brutal. It is blunt. There is loss and death and bullying and racial slurs as well as other unpleasant language.
Should every person read this? No. Should every person have access to read this? Yes.
It is not an enjoyable book for me, it didn’t make me feel good. However it did educate me, expand my view of the world and make me think.
I understand why racist, white, wealthy, Christian individuals full of their own biases are challenged by this book. I think this book challenges everyone to face up to some harsh truths about themselves as well as the characters in the book. Too many people identify best with Earl, the father of the white girl Penelope who chooses to date the Native American boy just to stand up to her father’s beliefs.
It’s not a book for everyone, some don’t need it, some will be triggered by it to remember and maybe be retraumatized - some bullying crosses cultural boundaries, some bullying is cultural.
Is it a classic? Not sure anymore what makes a classic. Is it an essential viewpoint on the world? Yes if you live in the US. Should we view it as the best teenage insights into the Native American culture? No - the author gives his insights, shares some of his youth, but he’s also moved forward from that youth and yes maybe because of some of his childhood trauma, he’s abusing his power and fame to in turn abuse other people - that’s never an excuse.
Important - yes. Banned - no. Enjoyable - no....more
Read with my teen as part of a study of mysteries.
The first Sherlock Holmes mystery where a large part of the first half is setting up the idea of HolRead with my teen as part of a study of mysteries.
The first Sherlock Holmes mystery where a large part of the first half is setting up the idea of Holmes as a superior detective, insightful, scientific, and a force of nature. We meet Watson, newly returned from the wars and trying to recover his senses whilst also adapt to a new way of life and cope with his roommate. The mystery is that of a dead American gentleman with no signs of external trauma.
This book really sets the scene for further mysteries, lengthy descriptions of crime scenes and people, exploring how one can see the world around you as a massively detailed tapestry of interactions. Trigger warnings for murder, death, assault, a whole exploration of mormonism in its early stages with the “true” Christians being anything but Christian.
I enjoyed the mystery in London, didn’t enjoy the sojourn to the desert and founding of the true faith home, and liked the wrap up. It’s weird how ACD does long rambling monologues that are actually quite fascinating.
We also read the piece written by Dr Joseph Bell who was the inspiration for ACD’s Holmes character and that was very interesting. Just as analaytical and clever and aware of his surroundings whilst also a bit more of a person-pleaser! ...more
Excellent sequel starring Mr Jonathan Darcy and Ms Tinsley as the next generation from Pride and Prejudice, alongside all our favorites from across thExcellent sequel starring Mr Jonathan Darcy and Ms Tinsley as the next generation from Pride and Prejudice, alongside all our favorites from across the Austen world - Elinor and Edward, Colonel Brandon and Marianne and of course the dastardly evil Mr Willoughby!
The first book in this series was fabulous - a true Austen-Christie combination with a house party and murder This book is further afield, visiting friends, an unwelcome house party invitation, a need for everyone to be polite and true to themselves.
When oh when will book 3 come out? The twists in this story, the wonderful array of characters and subplots and what they did next moments are a delight!...more
Absolutely gorgeous wonderful fantastical romance! I purchased this at LAX airport. The cover attracted me. I read the first page and was hooked - I waAbsolutely gorgeous wonderful fantastical romance! I purchased this at LAX airport. The cover attracted me. I read the first page and was hooked - I wanted more!! Witches must live alone so the magic isn’t noticeable to others. Witches are cursed so their caregivers / parents die soon after their birth. These are the truths that are known. And then one very lonely young witch, Mika Moon, who has been trying to find her space in the world by sharing "made-up magic" witching videos on YouTube, gets offered a job to teach 3 young witches. Initially very reluctant to affect the way witches hide from society, Mika also sees this as an opportunity - an opportunity to change the way witches are raised. Mika takes the job and moves into the Nowhere House alongside a group of wonderful characters. As Mika teaches the young witches, she gets to learn the wonders and challenges of being part of a family, making friends who you can share your secret magical life with, and the truer meanings of Magic and life.
This book thrilled me from picking up to putting down. I want more! I want to know where they all go next! I love all the side characters and want to know their stories both before and after this book.
Truly enjoyable book, suitable for teenagers as long as they don’t mind some swearing and a bit of romance but nothing graphic. Fantasy, magic, romance, beautiful language, nice twists!! I immediately bought copies for my best friend and mother-in-law!!...more
So good I read it twice by accident! Fun Amish romance starring a lady who has come back to her former community with her son after her husband is kilSo good I read it twice by accident! Fun Amish romance starring a lady who has come back to her former community with her son after her husband is killed. She is determined to stand on her own two feet and set up a new life and a new quilt shop. warning - trigger of domestic violence....more
This is a hilarious book exploring the complete history of English literature. The author, a professor of English literature, has wonderful tongue-in-This is a hilarious book exploring the complete history of English literature. The author, a professor of English literature, has wonderful tongue-in-cheek subtle and not so subtle humor, poking fun at writers and reviewers throughout history. Excellent inspiring read! ...more
This is a really good read, suitable for middle school kids, exploring the race divide in Los Angeles at the time of the 1965 riots. It’s told by SophThis is a really good read, suitable for middle school kids, exploring the race divide in Los Angeles at the time of the 1965 riots. It’s told by Sophie - or Sophia as her mother calls her - who’s the new black kid in the white neighborhood, with distant parents, a sister so pale people think she’s white and a new housekeeper who does not like her. Sophie is the average teenage girl, worrying about friendships, worrying about her hair and skin, trying to fit into a world not quite ready for her, and escaping regularly into a book she is writing. Sophie is a truly delightful character, scared but trying to be a grown up, most of us will relate! What some of us cannot relate directly to - and none of us should be able to relate to - is the way she and her family are racially profiled. Sophie cannot walk into the rec center without being accused of stealing, Lily’s boyfriend cannot drive her down the street without being pulled over and handcuffed for daring to drive a white girl. The book barely touches on the toughness that existed at the time to make it suitable for the young reader, but it’s all there for Kids to see and imagine the harshness of having different colored skin in 1960s LA on the wrong side of town. ...more
Set during the civil war, Heather is returning home as she nears the end of her pregnancy. Her husband is serving in the union army, her brother was sSet during the civil war, Heather is returning home as she nears the end of her pregnancy. Her husband is serving in the union army, her brother was serving in the confederates. Despite her being Heavily pregnant, her father turns her away in his grief at the deaths of her mother and brothers. Heather turns to a long-lost aunt who she has never met, who lives as part of a shaker community. The Shakers are an interesting community but this author clearly doesn’t like them much! She tries to explore their beliefs but always in a negative way. The story is simple and probably fairly similar to some real tales from the time. It’s easy to read and flows nicely. Wasn’t sure about one of the twists at the end and didn’t feel she gave the Shakers a fair explanation so 2*....more